Board approves narrow setback relief for egress window at 1195 Bond Street with safety condition

The Zoning and Planning Board of Appeals on Feb. 17 approved a narrow setback variance to allow an egress window and well at 1195 Bond Street so the basement can be used as bedrooms, with a condition requiring safety covering or screening for the well.

Staff explained that the property is a 1
2-story (one-and-a-half-story) house, which calls for an eight-foot side-yard setback; permitted obstructions such as egress wells are allowed up to half the applicable setback. Because the house and lot dimensions place the structure closer to the lot line, staff said the board must decide whether to allow ingress/egress relief to a proposed opening that would leave the well about 2.25 feet from the property line (the applicant sought a 9-inch relief once measured against narrow-lot rules).

The petitioner, who identified himself as Cody Kamees of 1195 Bond Street (agenda listed Melissa Adams as applicant/property owner), said the family plans to convert basement space into bedrooms so the home can accommodate a larger household. He said the windows are for emergency escape only, and that they would install covers or other safety measures and could run a fence extension if required.

Board members discussing the request said the relief sought was modest (about nine inches of additional encroachment under the narrow-lot calculation) and emphasized safety and suitability for habitation. Several members cited that the lot qualifies as a narrow lot under the code, which reduces the side-yard standard, and that the building already sits closer to the property line than the current code distance. Members noted that the project preserves property rights and addresses housing/occupancy needs while posing little expected detriment to neighbors.

A motion to approve the variance passed on a voice vote with the condition that the egress well have protective covering or screening to prevent accidental falls. The board directed staff to include wording of the safety covering in the permit and to record the condition in the minutes.

The applicant was reminded that the approval is limited to the egress window/well as described and that all building and safety permits still must be obtained through city inspection before occupancy changes take effect.